53.  That’s the magic number.  No, we’re not talking Mark Simoneau.  Thank God!

This past Saturday, the Birds needed to trim the fat (PS: I can’t wait for Thanksgiving) and cut their roster down to 53 players and narrow down the ever-popular practice squad to a select few.  I am personally pumped that Mike Marquardt is part of the “pinnie squad”.

Most of the hype in this town on the local sports talk radio and TV stations about the roster cuts surrounded Jerome McDougle.  Yes, that Jerome McDougle.  Number 95 in your program but number 1 in your heart.  That guy.

Well, some of the beefs that I heard about the cutting of McDougle center around his fantastic pre-season, yes pre-season, and holding onto Darren Howard.  Let me address these one at a time.  First, he had a fantastic PRE-SEASON.  This was mostly in mop-up duty against guys who will be bagging groceries this week.  Does that mean you discount all pre-season performances?  No, but in four seasons with the Birds, he has 3 total sacks in 35 games played.  If you are counting at home, that translates to .08 sacks per game.  Hardly a number worth bragging about.

So why keep Darren Howard?  Well, Howard is versatille.  He plays defensive tackle and defensive end…albeit, very average at both, he still is able to do so.  Regardless, what is the big deal?  We are still talking about back-up defensive ends.

When healthy, the Eagles DE rotation looks like this: Trent Cole, Jaqua Thom…err, Parker, Victor Abiamiri, Chris Clemmons, and Darren Howard.  Since Clemmons and Abiamiri are banged up, Howard’s place on the team is more important for the early going but let’s not get our panties in a bunch over a back-up player.  This is starting to remind me of the digruntled Jeff Garcia fans from last year…let it go my friends, let it go.